Switch actuating mechanism



Nov. 8, 1932. P. VANNlNl 1,887,223

SWITCH ACTUATING MECHANISM Filed Aug. 14, 1929 Patented Nov. 8, 1932UNEE TATES PHILIPP VANNI'NI, F ZUG, SWITZERLAND, ASSIGNOR TO LANDIS &G-YR, A.-G., A (I LIMITED JOINT STOCK COMPANY OF SWITZERLAND SWITCHACTUATING MECHANISM Application filed August 14, 1929, Serial No.

This invention relates to a new and useful switch actuating mechanismand more particularly to such a mechanism particularly adapted to form apart of a time controlled switch.

Objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in parthereinafter and in part will be obvious herefrom, or may be learned bypractice with the invention,

the same being realized and attained by means of the instrumentalitiesand combinations pointed out in the appended claims.

The invention consists in the novel parts, construction, arrangements,combinations and improvements herein shown and described.

The accompanying drawing, referred to herein and constituting a parthereof, illustrates one embodiment of the invention, and together withthe description, serves to explain the principles of the inventlon.

Of the drawing Fig. 1 is a fragmentary elevation of one embodiment of myinvention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an elevation of a modified form of actuating member; and

Fig. 4 is a plan of the embodiment shown in Fig. 3.

In the usual construction of time-controlled switches, the clock-drivendisc is provided with a plurality of threaded switch-actuating pins,threadedly secured around the periphery of the disc, and thisconstruction necessitates the provision of a very large number ofrelatively small tapped holes around the periphery of the disc. Such aconstruction is expensive and does not lend itself readily to quantityproduction, and also necessitates a relatively large spacing betweenadjacent holes.

The present invention provides a switch actuating mechanism of the classdescribed which can be made accurately in large quantities at arelatively low price, at the same time facilitating the adjustment ofthe switch-actuating members so that the time of operation of the switchcan be more easily changed.

385,744, and in Switzerland August 23, 1928.

According to the present prefered embodiment of the invention, there isprovided a toothed disc, which may be driven by suitableclock-mechanism, on which the switchactuating members are mounted. These153i switch-actuating members are preferably formed slightly longer thanthe thickness of the disc, and are provided with depending resilientfingers to engage and press against the sides of the disc. Preferably,and as here shown, the switch-actuating members are adapted to be fittedinto the recesses formed by the space between pairs of adjacent teeth,and, if desired, there may be provided a shallow groove on one or bothsides of the disc and concentric therewith, into which may project asmall projection on the inside of one or both of the fingers, tosecurely hold the switch-actuating members against inadvertantdisplacement.

Referring now in detail to the accompanyingi drawing illustrating thepresent preferred embodiment of the invention, there is provided aswitch, which may be of any convenient form, but is here shown as formedof a pair of contacts 10, 11 mounted on conducting springs 12, 13supported by insulating'block 14, which contacts may control any desiredcircuit, such as the bell circuit shown. For closing the switch, bypressing contacts 10,.and 11 together, there is provided a pin 15,mounted on lever 16. pivoted on insulating block 14 by means of pivotpin 17, lever 16 being actuated by means of the clock-driven mechanismabout to be described.

For actuating the switch closing lever at predetermined and variabletimes there are preferably provided switch actuating members variablypositionable on clock-driven toothed disc 18, rotatably mounted on shaft18a driven by pinion 19, which in turn is driven by any suitable form ofclockinechanism. In order to permit the disc 18 to be driven directly bythe clock-mechanism, t5 the teeth 20 of the disc 18 are preferablyformed considerably deeper than the usual form of gear teeth, andbetween pairs of adjacent teeth are secured the switch-actuating members21, substantially filling the 34} past the lever. For securely holdingthe switch-actuating members in the desired po--- sition, and at thesame time allowing their ready removal when it is desired to vary thetime of actuation of the switch, the actuating members are preferablyprovided with radial, inwardly-extending, slightly resilient fingers 24each of which may be provided with an inwardly extending boss25 toengage the sides ofnthe disc 18 and securely hold the actuating members.The. spacebetween the bosses 25 is preferably slightly less than thethickness of the disc, causing the fingers tobe sprung slightly as theactuating members are pushed in place. i

, When it isdesired to hold the actuating members 23 more securely inposition,-there may be provided a groove 25., on one or both sides ofthe disc 18 concentric with. the disc, and closely adjacent to theperipheral teeth of the disc toreceive the. corresponding boss. By,reason of; the rounded surface of the bosses, the actuating membersmaybe positioned'orremoved by simple radial movement. 1-

' v r j If desired, and as shown in Figure 2, two switchesmay beactuated by the same actuating member, by arranging the correspondingswitch actuating lever on oppositesides ofthedise. a ,3 $9 2 Foractuatingonly one ofthe switches one of the portions 26 of the actuatingmember overhanging the side of disc maybe omitted, and for actuatingtheswitch at a timeother than that permitted by the position of the teethv20, this overhangingfportion 26 may be ofl'set to a. greater or lessextent, as shown in Figure 4. Thus, if the teeth are separated by fiveminute intervals, there may be provided one actuating member 21 likethatshown in Figures 1 and2, and four others, ofis'etto a greater or lessextentfas shown in Figure 3, thereby allowing the switch tolbe' actuatedat one minute intervals by proper selection of the actuating member andthe proper recess in the periphery of the disc 18.

The invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specificmechanisms shown and described but departures-may be made therefromwithin the scope of the accompanying claims without departing from theprinciples of the invention and without sacrificing its chiefadvantages.

What I claim is:

1. Switch actuating mechanism for time- 65 controlled switches and thelike including in combination a toothed clock driven disc,

21. switch-actuating member positioned etween a pailf adjacent teeth andhaving depending yieldlng fingers engaging the sides of the disc.

4. Switch actuating mechanism for timecontrolled switches and the likeincluding in combination a toothed clock driven disc, a grooveconcentric with the disc, a switchactuating member positioned between apair of adjacent teeth and having depending yielding fingers engagingthe sides of the disc and the groove.

5. Switch actuating mechanism for time controlled switches and the likeincluding in combination a clock-driven disc, a groove concentric withthe disc and a switch-actuatin'g member carried on the periphery of saiddisc and having a pair of resilient fingers pressed against the sides ofthe disc,

one of said fingers being provided with an inwardly extending projectionto engage said groove and securely position the member.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

PHILIPP VANNINI.

